The agency will require states to monitor transportation emissions and create plans to address air pollution.
A new rule from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires states to track greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector and develop plans to reduce them, reports Daniel C. Vock in Route Fifty, building on a framework known as the National Blueprint for Decarbonization.
According to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, “This new performance measure will provide states with a clear and consistent framework to track carbon pollution and the flexibility to set their own climate targets.” The rule lets states create their own strategies for emissions reduction, and “FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt stressed that the proposal would not penalize states and planning agencies that fall short of their self-imposed targets.”
Rather than setting any specific goals, the FHWA says the rule is aimed at increasing public awareness and transparency and informing policy choices.
Read the full story: White House finalizes rule requiring states to target vehicle pollution
Report: 14 States Increased Per-Capita Carbon Emissions
Many of the states on the list are red-leaning states that fought against federal environmental reporting regulations.
Comprehensive Transportation Emission Reduction Planning
Many jurisdictions have ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and are developing plans to achieve them. This column discusses the factors that should be considered in this planning process.
Republican States Challenge Highway Emissions Plan
A federal proposal that would require states to monitor and set targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions, praised by Democrats, is being called “unworkable” by many Republican states.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
California High-Speed Rail Authority picks trainset manufacturer
The California High-Speed Rail Authority aims to start servicing passengers by 2033.
LA may place emergency ban on karaoke room permits
If Councilwoman Heather Hutt’s proposal passes, the moratorium would last between 45 days and one year.
City officials are dumping billions of gallons of sewage into the Chicago River
This year, the Racine Avenue sewage pumping station has poured over 10 billion gallons of sewage into the Chicago River.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority